BRANDON, Fla. — One man is in custody after an undercover deputy was robbed during a firearm transaction in the parking lot of the Westfield Brandon mall, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski says the undercover deputy was part of a larger investigation into getting illegal firearms off the streets. According to the chief deputy, at around 4 p.m., the undercover deputy was conducting a transaction with two men at the parking lot of the mall.
While inside the undercover deputy's car, Lusczynski says both men drew their guns and robbed the deputy. Other detectives were monitoring the transaction and moved in after the undercover deputy was robbed.
When the two men noticed law enforcement, Lusczynski says they both began firing at the deputies on scene and ran.
One of the men, 19-year-old Jordan Gracia, was eventually tackled and arrested. According to the chief deputy, the other man is still at large.
Gracia is facing charges of armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and dealing in stolen property. Additional charges are pending, the sheriff's office reports.
The 19-year-old "has a lengthy criminal history," the sheriff's office says, including, armed burglary, juvenile in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed firearm.
Lusczynski says none of the deputies involved fired their weapons, and no injuries have been reported. The mall, Lusczynski says, is closing at its own request.